This autograph book belonged to Lillian May Prior of Woodland, a fine, tree-lined city just west of Sacramento. It's also home to Main Street Antiques, a 14-member antiques cooperative right in the middle of town on, where else, Main Street. Lillian May makes note that she was 18 years, 9 months and 15 days old when she signed her book in March 1885. Many of her contemporaries have signed the book, and left little notes along the way. There seemed to be preoccupation with life in the hereafter and not much humor. Here they are.
To May:
May the brightest rainbows ever play above the fountains of thy tears.
I remain your friend, Roberta Grant
---
May
I dip my pen into the ink
And grasp your album tight.
But for my life,
I cannot think of one word to wright. (cq)
Your friend and schoolmate, Geneva Wiserman
Jan. 4th, 1884
---
Dear May
May thy lot happy be
Is my dear wish for thee.
From your cousin, Lillian Shelton
June 15th, 1888, Albany, Oregon
---
May
If we have true merit, we all will have true friends.
Your friend, Eliza Duer?????
Woodland, Oct. 13th, 1884
---
May
"Moderation is the silken thread running through the pearl chain of all virtues."
Your Friend, Lee
Woodland, 9-10-1884
---
May
Remember I say
When you look on these pages
That writing in albums
Is like working for wages.
Eva A., January 1st, 1884
---
May
Remember your true friend
Kittie L. Comfort
---
To May
We have been friends together
It will not all be over
We will be friends forever
though we mean to part no more.
Leona Grigsby
Woodland, Jan. 7, 1884
---
Dear May
Remember me when far away
And absent from your sight
And I will do the same by you
With pleasure and delight.
Your friend, Katie Ball
Woodland, Jan. 11th, 1884
---
Yours most sincerely
Katie B. Fisher
Woodland, 8-4-'84
---
Compliments of Manny & Stella
---
May
When rocks and rills divide us
And you're no more.
Remember the name of Grace
And I'll remember thee.
Your true friend, Grace
---
Dear May
Lives of great men all remind us,
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing leave behind us
Footprints in the sands of time.
Yours trule, Hattie Grant
Woodland, Jan. 11th, 1884
---
May
May all your days on earth
Be crowned with peace and love,
And I wish for you at last eternal joy above.
Zada Boulware,
Woodland, March 23, '85
---
May
Remember your true friend
Georgia Jackson
Woodland, Jan. 7th, 1883
---
Dear May
Beneath the oyster shell uncouth, the finest pearls may hide.
Trust me you will find a heart of truth
Beneath many a rough outside.
Your sincere friend, May Spencer
Woodland, 1885
---
May
In the golden chain of memory
Where each name forms a link,
I will add another to it.
Of the owner, sometimes think.
Your friend, Jennie Cokenour
Jan. 7th, 1884
---
Friend May
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.
And loving favor rather than silver or gold.
Your friend, Lena Porter
Woodland, Jan. 7th, 1884
---
To May
We have been friends together
It will not all be over
We will be friends forever
Though we mean to part no more.
Julie Stocking
---
Dear May
In the wood box of memory
Please drop a chip for me.
Your friend Emma
---
To May
I thought & I thought
Till I thought in vain,
Till at last I thought
I would write my name.
Your friend and schoolmate, Eliza Wiseman
Jan. 7th, 1884
---
Friend May
Flowers of true friendship will never fade.
Mary Lee
Woodland, March 27, 1885
---
Dear May
Let pure thoughts and kind actions mark every day of your life.
Your friend & teacher, Mrs. Sue B. Grant
Jan. 10th, 1884
---
May
Remember me with kindness.
Your friend, Dahlya Powers
Woodland Feb 2, 1885
---
Dear May
Remember me as your true friend.
Sophie Boggs
Woodland 2-11-85
---
Dear May
May joy and happiness always be with you.
Is the wish of your friend, Hattie Dunlap
---
Dear May
In the bright and long hereafter,
May you always happy be.
May you count your friends by thousands
and among them remember me.
Your sincere friend, Nellie Dietz
Woodland, Feb. 3rd, 1885
---
May
May your life be as fine as these pages,
and unshadowed as these lines,
Is the sincere wish of your true friend,
Nettie M.
Woodland, Feb. 3rd, '85
---
To May
Flowers may form a garland,
Gold may link a chain, but
Friendship is a clasp, forever to remain.
Your sincere friend, Erdeene Hennagan
---
May
Not like the Rose
May our Friendship wither
But like the Evergreen,
Live Forever.
Maude Lownsberry, Woodland
March 26, 1885
---
To May
May thy pathway be bright as the stars in heaven.
Your friend, Etta Hyman
Woodland, Jan. 7th, '84
---
Friend May
Remember me when this you see, if only half awake.
Remember me on wedding day and send me a piece of cake.
Your Friend Mattie Heurle (??)
Woodland, Cal. 4-1-1885
---
May
Last in your album,
Last in your thoughts
Last to be remembered
And first to be forgot.
Your friend, Rebecca Strong
-30-
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